Twice Seduced by the Rogue by Virginie Marconato

Author:Virginie Marconato [Marconato, Virginie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Next Chapter

8

Warwickshire, a year later

There was nowhere to run.

In a moment, they would be surrounded.

“We need shelter!” Florie told her two companions as she brought her exhausted horse back down to a walk. There was no use torturing it further; in the state it was in, the poor beast would never be able to outrun their pursuers. Hiding was the only way they might escape Lord Sheldon’s cronies. But where? The few trees scattered here and there would not conceal their party for long.

Helplessly, she looked around. Soon, it would be dark. While that might help her, Elsie and Alan avoid discovery, it would also make them easy prey for the outlaws roaming the lands. Despair made her shoulders sag.

Never had their situation been more dire.

“If I may, my lady,” Elsie started. “Windmere Castle is not so far now, just beyond the forest, I think. Perhaps we can reach it before nightfall.”

“Windmere Castle?”

“Sir Alistair’s residence. That’s where I have tried to take us all this while. I thought mayhap he could be prevailed upon to offer us his help.”

The name sent prickles under Florie’s skin. Was Elsie talking about the man she had not been able to forget?

“Sir Alistair?” she said in a quick breath. Perhaps her maid meant someone else, for how would she even know where he lived?

“Aye. He stayed at Maskin Castle last year, just before we left. Margery the scullery maid told me he lived in Warwickshire. That is why I insisted we came this way. I cannot believe you would have forgotten him.”

Forgotten him! No indeed she had not forgotten him. But did she want to see him? That was another question.

“I’m not sure we—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Florie was interrupted by a shout in the distance. Her heart almost failed her. Lord Sheldon! He’d caught up with them.

“Oh no!” Elsie cried out, echoing her thoughts.

“Tally-ho!” a voice coming from behind the bushes shouted.

At the same moment, a mighty stag bounded into the clearing ahead of them. A heartbeat later, the barking of dogs and the galloping of horses was heard and before they could decide what to do, a group of hunters rode past, in hot pursuit of the animal.

Florie allowed herself to breathe again. These were just hunters, not Lord Sheldon’s men. Alan and Elsie looked at each other and nodded in unison.

“This is our chance,” the young man said before spurring his horse towards the riders to ask for their help.

Though she was reluctant to play the damsel in distress, Florie knew she had little choice. At least a dozen men had ridden past them. Such an escort would ensure their safety against their pursuers. They were saved; she had no doubt Alan would persuade them to come to their aid. What the young man lacked in strength he made up for in charm. He could talk the fleece off a sheep if need be. He would explain their predicament.

A moment later she turned to face the riding party coming their way—and her heart fell to the pit of her stomach.

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